MAYOR’S OFFICE
AUCKLAND CITY

MEDIA RELEASE
6 October 2005

Speedway revs up again at Western Springs

Auckland City’s Mayor Dick Hubbard is thrilled to announce that an agreement for the 2005/2006 racing season at Western Springs has been reached.

The agreement comes after two days of mediation discussions between local residents, Springs Promotions, speedway drivers and Auckland City.

The agreement will see racing continue at Western Springs and is a result of all parties working together to achieve an agreeable outcome.

Mayor Hubbard says he is delighted to see the speedway back on track.

“This is a huge step forward. Aucklanders get to hold on to an iconic event while ensuring local residents are happy.”

Terms of the agreed calendar for this season include:

- ten events (excluding practices)

- 60 per cent of races at 90 dba L10

- 40 per cent of races at 88 dba

- Anniversary weekend and Waitangi Day race free as well as a guaranteed free weekend each month.

The parties have agreed to work through a number of environmental issues and have agreed a noise-monitoring regime and a monitoring process.

To achieve a long-term solution, parties will participate in a best practicable options consultation and inquiry process.

This will take place before any further resource consent or plan changes are lodged.

The purpose is to investigate the environmental effects of speedway at Western Springs with a view of establishing the best options for ensuring that noise and other speedway related effects are reasonable in the long term.

Parties involved in reaching both short and long-term solution have agreed to work in good faith.

“Reaching a decision has been a great achievement, and all parties involved should be congratulated on their commitment to finding a resolution,” says Mayor Hubbard.

Local residents’ lawyer Martin Williams is also very pleased by the outcome. “Hopefully this demonstrates to the public that the residents are not anti-speedway.

“Residents have agreed to accept higher noise levels than are permitted in the district plan in exchange for a number of commitments by Speedway, demonstrating a willingness to be good neighbours.

“All parties can hopefully now move forward on a basis of mutual respect and understanding having both made compromises to reach this solution,” says Mr Williams.

“Auckland City prides itself on hosting a range of diverse and exciting events. Western Springs speedway is an iconic event which contributes to Auckland’s unique character and we are thrilled it will continue,” says Mayor Hubbard.

ENDS

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